Showdown at War Cloud

by Lewis B. Patten

One man, one man alone had caused it all. He was a no-good drifter who had beaten and raped the wife of an Indian chief. From every corner of the great Sioux reservation the bright, sharp lances were raised, and war paint glittered on the vengeful faces of the splendid warriors. Across the river, the settlement waited for the first shrill sound of the war cry....for the noises of death.... ABOUT THE Lewis Byford Patten (1915 – 1981) was a prolific author of American Western novels, born and died in Denver, Colorado. He often published under the names Lewis Ford, Lee Leighton and Joseph Wayne. He used the last two names when writing in collaboration with Wayne D. Overholser.

Genres: Westerns

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

aka Lewis Ford, Len Leighton, Joseph Wayne (with Wayne D. Overholser)

Lewis Byford Patten was a prolific author of American Western Novels, born in Denver, Colorado. Often published under the names Lewis Ford, Len Leighto and, Joseph Wayne.

Reviews

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many Gold Medal Westerns this novel is essentially a crime story that takes place in the Old West. This helps to enhance the typical crime story concept in a couple of ways. First, bigotry against Native Americans and the mob mentality that goes along with it drives the plot, and second, the fear of a retaliatory Sioux attack against the town and the sense of impending doom and escalating tension keep the story moving at a rapid pace. The entire story takes place in a 24 hour period. An intelligent, thought-provoking and somewhat grim novel. I liked it a lot.